One-third of US states sue over Trump's decision to block wind development

A group of attorneys general from 17 US states and Washington, D.C. filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against actions taken by President Donald Trump. Representatives of one-third of US states say Trump's decision to halt leasing federal land for wind power development threatens the development of their energy sectors. The plaintiffs also argue that the federal government's decision is illegal and that Trump exceeded his authority.

One of Donald Trump's first actions in his second term was to suspend leasing federal areas for the construction of offshore wind farms. The offshore wind industry has faced difficulties in recent years, particularly a significant rise in the cost of building new projects. Rising costs and delays during planning and permitting have led to the cancellation of several projects in recent years.

This week, 17 states and Washington, D.C. challenged Trump's decision from late January this year in federal court in Boston. In the lawsuit, they are seeking to have the decision overturned and to block similar federal government actions that could curb the development of wind power, Renewables Now reported.

“This administration is destroying one of the fastest-growing sources of clean, reliable and affordable energy in our country,” New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said in a statement, according to Reuters.

The attorneys general say the government violated several federal laws because it failed to justify its actions. They also argue that blocking the development of new wind power projects represents a complete reversal of the federal government's long-standing position and conflicts with recent measures to support the development of other forms of energy.

The lawsuit also says that President Trump was never authorized by the US Congress to categorically halt wind power projects, and that the agencies carrying out his actions exceeded their authority.

“Americans elected a president to restore American energy dominance, and Americans in blue states should not have to pay for Democrats’ radical climate agenda,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers commented on the lawsuit, while also accusing states with Democratic leadership of abusing the legal system, according to Reuters.